Facebook challenge aims to help young find work

A CAMPAIGN designed to help young people into work after leaving school will be unveiled next week.

A CAMPAIGN designed to help young people into work after leaving school will be unveiled next week.

The Department for Work and Pensions is launching the initiative to coincide with A-level results day on August 18.

The Seven-Day Jobs Challenge will run via social networking site Facebook and provide tips on how best to find work. People can take part in the challenge by “liking” the Seven-Day Jobs Challenge Page, which will host information, discussions and advice on improving chances of employability.

Celebrities including entrepreneur Levi Roots and Apprentice star Michelle Dewberry will advise young people with information on writing a CV and setting up your own business.

Last summer, school, college and university leavers swelled the numbers on Jobseeker’s Allowance, with over 15,990 18 to 24-year-olds in Wales signed on. But the Department for Work and Pensions is keen to reduce that figure and promote the half a million jobs on offer in the UK.

Pam Sutton, a district manager at Jobcentre Plus in Wales, said: “We know that many young people are motivated to get a job, but don’t always know the best way to go about it. By doing something each day and following the tips and advice on things like how to write a CV or set up your own business, they can get it right from the start.”

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “Although times are tough, there are jobs out there with Jobcentre Plus taking over 10,000 new vacancies every working day.”

People can take part in the challenge by following and contributing to the daily discussion tips posted on Facebook, from next Thursday. Visit www.facebook.com/7DayJobsChallenge

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